Norseman Drilling Risks: Can Galileo Deliver on PGE Resource Growth?
Galileo Mining has kicked off a focused 2,000-metre drilling campaign at its Norseman project, targeting platinum group elements and gold to expand its promising Callisto resource.
- 2,000m RC drilling program underway at Norseman targeting PGEs and gold
- Focus on Mission Sill South, Jimberlana South, and Callisto North prospects
- Aims to build on 1.27Moz PdEq JORC resource including 17.5Mt Callisto deposit
- Drilling scheduled for two weeks with assay results expected six weeks later
- Potential for significant new discoveries in a highly prospective Western Australian belt
Galileo Advances Norseman Exploration
Galileo Mining Ltd (ASX – GAL) has commenced a 2,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Norseman project in Western Australia, aiming to expand its footprint in the platinum group elements (PGE) and gold space. The program targets high-priority prospects including Mission Sill South, Jimberlana South, and Callisto North, all situated near the company’s flagship Callisto deposit.
The Callisto deposit, discovered in 2022, remains a cornerstone of Galileo’s portfolio with a maiden JORC resource estimate of 17.5 million tonnes grading 2.3 grams per tonne palladium equivalent (PdEq), translating to approximately 1.27 million ounces of PdEq. This deposit is notable for its sulphide mineralisation containing palladium, platinum, gold, rhodium, nickel, and copper, a rare combination that positions Norseman as a compelling new mineral belt in Australia.
Drilling Focus and Expectations
The current drilling campaign is designed to test extensions and new targets along the Mission Sill trend, which boasts over 12 kilometres of prospective strike, as well as the Callisto North and Jimberlana South prospects. The program includes 15 holes at Mission Sill South, two at Callisto North, and one at Jimberlana South, with drilling expected to take around two weeks to complete.
Galileo’s Managing Director Brad Underwood expressed optimism about the campaign, highlighting the encouraging mineralisation previously identified at these prospects. The company anticipates assay results approximately six weeks after drilling concludes, which will be critical in assessing the potential to grow the existing resource base.
Strategic Significance and Market Context
The Norseman project’s mineralisation style is analogous to South Africa’s Platreef deposits, known for their rich PGE content. This geological similarity underpins the high expectations for new discoveries that could substantially increase the resource size beyond the current 1.27 million ounces PdEq.
With global demand for PGEs driven by their essential role in catalytic converters, hydrogen fuel cells, and emerging clean energy technologies, Galileo’s exploration progress at Norseman aligns well with broader market trends. The company’s extensive 270 square kilometre tenure in a relatively underexplored region adds to the strategic value of this drilling program.
Beyond Norseman, Galileo also holds interests in the Fraser Range, targeting nickel-copper sulphide deposits, further diversifying its portfolio in critical battery and precious metals.
Bottom Line?
As Galileo drills deeper into Norseman’s potential, the coming assay results will be pivotal in shaping the company’s growth trajectory and investor sentiment.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the assay results confirm extensions to the existing Callisto resource or reveal new mineralised zones?
- How might the metallurgical characteristics of new discoveries impact the economic viability of the project?
- What are the implications for Galileo’s market valuation if the resource base expands significantly?
